Bulbs to Plant Now For Spring Drama

Planning ahead pays off big when it comes to springtime blooms. These bulbs are planted in the fall to come alive in the spring with dramatic colors and shapes. Read on for tips on how and where to plant for a stunning spring garden.

Use pattern for impact. Fritillaria meleagris, sometimes called checkered lily, lack the height of the Imperialis variety, but more than make up for it in their unusual markings. The name fritillaria is derived from the Latin name for a dice box (fritillus) and probably refers to the checkered pattern.

Eranthis, or winter aconite, steals the show. It starts flowering extremely early, sometimes flowering through the snow that is still on the ground. The buttercup-like flowers are enclosed by a collar of green leaves and open only when the sun shines.

Add interest with texture. The petals of the Apricot Parrot tulip, with their curled and fringed edges, are fun to watch as they blossom. Over time, parrot tulips open so widely they appear to flatten out.

Spot color turns heads. This shock of bright Shakespeare tulips display a pop of color in an otherwise green landscape. These petite bloomers are part of the Kaufmanniana group, which do well in rock gardens.

The repetition of the circles, seven in all, shape the theme of this planting. Starting with a circle of white tulips surrounded by a circle of Top White hyacinths, the theme continues in the urn, shrubs, plantings and edging.